The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band is nationally known for its precision military marching formations on the football gridiron and is the largest military marching band in the nation. This 300+ member Corps of Cadets unit is the official marching band of Texas A&M University.Performing at all home football games and several away games, this organization is one of the most traveled collegiate marching bands in the nation. The Aggie Band operates under strict military guidelines as an integral part of the Corps of Cadets. The Aggie Band was presented the Sudler Trophy from the John Philip Sousa Foundation in 2001 in recognition of the long tradition of excellence established by the organization.
The Aggie Band is directed by Dr. Timothy Rhea, LTC. Jay Brewer, and Capt. Travis Almany.

Membership

All prospective members of the Aggie Band are required to have had both high school playing and marching band experience. In addition, a playing audition for one of the band directors must be passed prior to acceptance. For the auditions, prospective cadets will be asked to play a prepared selection and a sight-reading selection. For a PDF copy of the prepared audition music, click here. Auditions will take place throughout the spring semester and must be completed no later than Saturday, May 13th.

The following audition options are available for students who have already been accepted to Texas A&M:

By special appointment if you are unable to attend one of the first two options

To choose an audition option and schedule a date, contact Ms. Haven at band@tamu.edu or (979) 845-3529. Acceptance into the Aggie Band will be based on audition results and availability of positions in each section. Notification of acceptance will take place after the May 13th deadline.

Membership in the Aggie Band requires full participation in all required activities of the Corps of Cadets in addition to those required of the Aggie Band. Each student is encouraged to participate in the Spend the Night with the Corps program prior to enrollment. Prospective students who participate in the “Spend the Night with the Corps” program and express an interest in being in the Aggie Band will be assigned one of the six band units for the program. A student’s permanent unit assignment will be made at the student’s New Student Conference with approval from the Associate Band Director.

Rehearsals

The Texas Aggie Band rehearses Monday through Friday, 7:00 – 9:00 AM. Indoor rehearsals are held in the E.V. Adams Band Building and drill rehearsals take place on the Haney Drill Field located adjacent to the band hall. Aggie Band members receive one academic credit for each semester of participation in the band.

Instruments

A limited number of university instruments are available for student use, however, students are encouraged to bring their own instruments.

Spring Semester Activities

In the spring semester, members of the band remain full members of the Corps of Cadets and the Aggie Band represents the university at various parades and campus military reviews. In addition to these activities, members of the Aggie Band may choose to participate in the Aggieland Dance Orchestra, the University Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, Concert Band or the University Jazz Ensemble during the fall or spring semesters.

Band Outfits

The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band is comprised of six units. Incoming freshman are assigned to a unit by the Aggie Band. Learn more about the individual units here.